The Akron Aeros won four of their six games over the past week and moved to 26-31 on the season. The team remains in fifth place in the Western Division -- six games out of first place -- though the Aeros began to climb out of the hole they dug by losing 12 of 15 from May 13-May 28. The Aeros won with decent starting pitching, a mostly lights-out bullpen, and the continued emergence of a top prospect. To find out which top prospect is emerging and all you need to know about the team, join Jim Piascik and go Launching off with the Aeros.

The Akron Aeros fell behind quickly Sunday afternoon as starting pitcher Robert Whitenack once again faltered, starting the team down the road to their 8-1 loss against the Reading Fightin Phils. Akron (26-31) managed to leave FirstEnergy Stadium with a series win, though the team obviously would have liked to sweep Reading (21-33) over the weekend. The team remains six games out of first place after the Erie SeaWolves lost as well Sunday against the Richmond Flying Squirrels.

As the season moves into the hot summer months, the only thing heating up faster than the temperature is Ronny Rodriguez’ bat. The Akron second baseman was 2-3, with a three-run home run Friday night as the Aeros outlasted the Reading Fightin’ Phils, 7-5, in the opening game of a three-game series at First Energy Stadium.

It was a rainy night around Ohio, and while a some games were delayed, everyone was able to play. On the farm there were a few highlights with Tyler Holt and Ronny Rodriguez having big games for Akron and Mason Radeke making an impressive start for Lake County. Join the IBI's Arthur Kinney as he takes us Around the Farm and recaps the minor league action from Friday night.

Most of us who play baseball video games dream of seeing our name and likeness as a part of the game. Unlike most of us, Akron Aeros outfielder Carlos Moncrief has a chance at achieving that dream. Moncrief is playing at the Double-A level for the first time in his career and is doing a good job, though he has room for improvement. When he is on, though, Moncrief really puts on a show -- something he enjoys doing. Jim Piascik recently spoke with Moncrief about taking over games, his impressive power, and what he has to do over the rest of the season to be successful.

Jim Piascik was at Akron's 15 inning win Thursday night and he only has one thing to report from it: it was long. Outside of a relatively boring game in Akron, the Mudcats made a late charge at a victory, some Lake County players showed some power, and a Columbus outfielder displayed why he may be a major league option at some point in 2013. To find out all you need to know about Thursday in the minor leagues, join Jim as he goes Around The Farm.

Down 2-1 in the ninth inning, first baseman Jesus Aguilar tied the game with an opposite field home run, just out of right fielder Steven Souza Jr.'s reach at the "It's A Whole New Ballgame" sign. After the two teams went six more innings, it almost literally was. The Akron Aeros (24-30) won 3-2 Thursday night in 15 innings, defeating the Harrisburg Senators (27-27) on a bases-loaded walk-off single by right fielder Carlos Moncrief.

Thanks to the holiday weekend, today’s edition of Minor Happenings is the only edition this week, but have no fear, it is a doozy. In today’s extended edition Tony takes a look at the struggles that Trevor Bauer is having in Columbus, what his problem is, and what he needs to do to get himself right. He also looks at the recent adjustments made by Matt Packer, the strides Lonnie Chisenhall is making, shares some comments from the front office on pitchers like Austin Adams, Jordan Cooper, Trey Halley and others, provides several injury updates, and discusses several prospects like Danny Salazar, Tyler Holt, Fabio Martinez, Anthony Santander and more!

Things were busy on the farm Wednesday, with all of Cleveland's affiliates in action and Lake County completing a doubleheader. Great performances rolled in from throughout the system, with major league options impressing in Columbus, top prospects shining in Akron and Carolina, and a Lake County prospect hitting his first home run of the season. The headlines, however, belonged to a dominant Carolina pitcher and a returning reliever making his first appearance of the season. To find out who these players are and find out all you need to know about Wednesday in the minor leagues, join Jim Piascik and go Around The Farm.

It took a much improved team effort for the Akron Aeros to end their four-game losing streak as they defeated the Harrisburg Senators 6-3 on Wednesday night at Canal Park. The Aeros' performance showed a major improvement in both steady pitching and hitting from the night before.

The Indians had a quieter night than usual on Tuesday night around the farm thanks to Low-A Lake County's rainout. All three of Columbus, Akron and Carolina were in action and really struggled, and Tony chimes in with the notable performances from all three stops and discusses the struggles of Rob Whitenack.

The Akron Aeros stumbled over the past week, dropping five of seven games and falling to a 22-29 record. After the team's recent string of losses, the Aeros are 10 games behind the Erie SeaWolves and only 1.5 games ahead of the last-place Altoona Curve. The Aeros may be fading, but that does not mean the entire team performed badly. A newly-added outfielder put on a show, a pitcher left his early season struggles far behind, and a top prospect just may be turning the corner. To find out who these players are and everything you need to know about the team, join Jim Piascik and go Launching off with the Aeros.

ERIE- It was a battle of the offenses Monday evening when the Akron Aeros faced the Erie SeaWolves for the final game of the four-game series. It was a fight all the way through the tenth inning, but Erie would ultimately come out on top, winning 9-8.

Canal Park received a makeover this past offseason with a brand new state-of-the-art video scoreboard, and Tyler Holt has put the video screen to good use. The Double-A Akron outfielder is a human highlight reel in the outfield crashing into walls and diving for balls, and it is that defensive ability and all out approach that has people taking notice.

ERIE- The Erie SeaWolves devastated the Akron Aeros 7-2 at Jerry Uht Park Sunday. Akron’s offense was unable to make up for the deficit caused by ineffective pitching, and Sunday quickly turned into a repeat performance of Saturday’s match up by both offenses.

The Akron Aeros fell to the Erie Seawolves Saturday night 4-1 at Jerry Uht Park. The Aeros’ offense was ineffective against Erie’s prominent pitching, while the Seawolves took advantage of Akron’s starter Paolo Espino.

When asked if he has any hobbies outside of baseball, Akron Aeros third baseman Giovanny Urshela said no. The focus is all on baseball for Urshela. The 21-year-old infielder is swinging the bat well, hitting .275 in his first 39 games at the Double-A level, though his on-base percentage is lagging behind. Urshela has a plan to improve that, though, as he looks to improve himself as a ballplayer every day.

Available IBI Books

The 2014 Cleveland Indians Baseball Insider book featuring the Indians' Top 100 Prospects and more is now available. Also, previous editions from 2008-2012 are also available at a discounted rate. Just click on the book image for more information. Thanks again for all the support!